# US 8,783,132 B2 · Steering wheel assembly for a motor vehicle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,783,132 B2 - Document ID: US8783132B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/676,858 - Filed: 2008-09-08 - Published: 2010-09-02 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2007-09-06 - Assignees: Takata-Petri AG - Applicants: Delf Neumann; Christian Schreiber - Inventors: Delf Neumann; Christian Schreiber - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8783132B2 ## CPC - H05B 1/0236: {for vehicles} - B60K 35/10: Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor - B60K 35/22: Display screens - B60K 35/60: Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles (arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10) - B60Q 3/283: Steering wheels; Gear levers - B62D 1/046: {Adaptations on rotatable parts of the steering wheel for accommodation of switches} - B62D 1/06: Rims, e.g. with heating means; Rim covers (B62D1/11 takes precedence) - B60K 2360/782: on the steering wheel - Y10T 74/20834: Hand wheels - H05B: ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES - B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract The invention relates to a steering wheel assembly for a motor vehicle, having a steering wheel for steering the motor vehicle, wherein the steering wheel comprises a steering wheel rim, by means of which it can be actuated, and having a display device arranged on the steering wheel rim for displaying driving information, wherein the display device is fastened to the steering wheel rim by means of fastening means, wherein the steering wheel rim comprises a base body, that is at least partly surrounded by a material, that is particularly softer than the material of the base body, and wherein the display device is fastened to the base body by means of the fastening means, and wherein the fastening means comprise at least one fastening region formed on the base body. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A steering wheel assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising a steering wheel for steering the motor vehicle, wherein the steering wheel comprises a steering wheel rim by means of which the steering wheel can be actuated, and a display device arranged on the steering wheel rim for displaying driving information, which comprises at least one display for generating optical signals, wherein the display device is fastened to the steering wheel rim by means of a fastening means, wherein the steering wheel rim comprises a base body which is at least partly surrounded by a material that is particularly softer than a material of the base body, and wherein the display device is fastened to the base body by means of the fastening means, and wherein the fastening means comprises at least a fastening region formed on the base body, wherein the at least one fastening region protrudes from the base body and comprises at least one through-opening, particularly in the form of a borehole, for providing a form-fit and/or force-fit connection between the display device and the base body, and the steering wheel rim extends in a circumferential direction and the steering wheel comprises a hub body which is connected to the steering wheel rim via at least one spoke of the steering wheel, wherein the at least one fastening region protrudes radially inwardly away from the steering wheel rim generally perpendicular to the circumferential direction towards the hub body. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The steering wheel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the display device comprises an upper first shell having a visible surface facing outwards, that, with respect to a built-in state of the steering wheel assembly, faces an operator seat. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The steering wheel assembly according to claim 2, wherein the upper first shell comprises a cut-out or a transparent or a translucent region, so that said optical signals are visible. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2, 3) The steering wheel assembly according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the upper first shell is fastened to the base body by means of a pin reaching through the through-opening, wherein the pin is formed as a screw. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The steering wheel assembly according to claim 2, wherein a lower shell having a visible surface facing outwards is provided, and the visible surface faces away from the surface of the upper first shell. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The steering wheel assembly according to claim 4, wherein a lower shell is fastened to the upper first shell by means of the pin, so that both of the shells encompass the base body in cross section. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The steering wheel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the fastening means comprise a clip connection between the display device and the base body for preventing a relative movement between the display device and the base body, and particularly that the display device comprises at least one circuit support, and in that the circuit support is fastened to the steering wheel rim by means of the clip connection. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The steering wheel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the display device comprises a circuit support as well as damping means for damping mechanical vibrations of the circuit support, wherein particularly the damping means counteract a vibration of the display device and the circuit support against each other, and wherein particularly the damping means comprise a mechanically cushioning material, that is arranged between the display device and the circuit support. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The steering wheel assembly according to claim 1, wherein an upper second and an upper third shell for covering the base body, each having a surface facing outwards, which surfaces, with respect to a built-in state of the steering wheel assembly, face an operator seat. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The steering wheel assembly according to claim 9, wherein the upper first shell is arranged between the upper second and the upper third shell along an extension direction of the steering wheel rim. ### Claim 11 (depends on 5) The steering wheel assembly according to claim 5, wherein an upper second shell and an upper third shell are each connected to the lower shell, so that the upper second shell and the upper third shell encompass together with the lower shell the base body in cross section. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The steering wheel assembly for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising at least one electrical connection device for electrically connecting the display device to an assembly of the motor vehicle; as well as at least one connection element, by means of which the display device is electrically connected to the connection device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The steering wheel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the display is configured for displaying driving information on a display side of the display facing an operator seat, wherein the base body of the steering wheel rim includes a region comprising cavities, slits or transparent materials for direct through-guiding of light such that in this region light for background lighting reaches a back side of the display. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The steering wheel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the display is configured for displaying driving information on a display side of the display facing an operator seat, and wherein a light source for background lighting of the display is provided on a back side of the display. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The steering wheel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the display is formed as a self-luminous display.